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Kit Kraft January 25, 2011

Posted by SCAD Fashion Department in : Art Supplies, Inspiration, Sewing and Workroom Supplies, Textile Resources , comments closed

Need feathers? Acrylic Domes and display boxes? Beads? Adhesives? Clock Parts? A Gold Leafing Kit? Fabric Paint or Dyes? Faux Fur? Letters, Numbers, & Striping Tape? Sequins? Faux Fur? String, Cord, Threads or Fibers? A Stuffed Blow Fish?

Really, who doesn’t need these things?

Kit Kraft is a favorite resource for Professor Jason Bunin for anything and everything for mood boards, presentations and craft projects.  He swears by this site for their speed, reliability and pricing.  I think they’re pretty nifty, too.

This one should be on your list of go-to sites for the future.  Add it to your bookmarks bar!

Kit Kraft

- Tiffany Horton

Textile Composition Abbreviations March 23, 2010

Posted by SCAD Fashion Department in : Manufacturers, Organizations and Associations, SCAD, Sewing and Workroom Supplies, Textile Resources , comments closed

Now that the SCAD-Atlanta Fashion Department has it’s own resource room, we have lots and lots of fabric samples for you to sift through when you are working on your class project.  The only problem is that many of these fabrics have composition labels that look something like “52% PC   26% PL   18% CO   4% PA” or “58% SE    21% PC    11% PA    9% WV   1% EL”.

What does it all mean?  Well, the first example means that the fiber content is 52% Acrylic, 26% Polyester, 18% Cotton, and 4% Nylon.  The second example is 58% Silk, 21% Acrylic, 11% Nylon, 9% Virgin Wool, and 1% Spandex.

The FTC (Ooh! Another Acronym! This one means the United States Federal Trade Commission)  has prohibited the use of abbreviations or acronyms for American-made products. However, if you buy your fabrics from overseas or have a look at any of the hundreds of textiles available in our resource room, you’ll see these labels on many of the headers – especially those from Italy and France.

So, here is your handy-dandy guide to textile abbreviations (courtesy of fabricstockexchange.com.)  If you come across anything that’s not on the list, please let me know so I can add it for the rest of us!

- Tiffany Teague

Abbreviation

Fabric Content

AC

Acetate

AF

Other Fibers

CA

Acetate

CLY

Lyocell

CMD

Modal

CO

Cotton

CTA

Triacetate

CU

Cupro

CUP

Cupro

CV

Viscose

EA

Elastane

EL

Elastane

HA

Hemp

HL

Cotton/Linen

JU

Jute

LI

Flax/Linen

MA

Modacrylic

MAC

Modacrylic

ME

Metal

MO

Modal

PA

Nylon

PAN

Acrylic

PC

Acrylic

PES

Polyester

PL

Polyester

PM

Metallicized Polyester

PU

Polyurethaneelastomere

RA

Ramie

SE

Silk

SI

Sisal

TA

Triacetate

TR

Textile Residues/Unspecified Composition

VI

Viscose

VY

Vinyl

WA

Angora

WB

Beaver

WG

Vicuna

WK

Camel Hair

WL

Llama

WM

Mohair

WO

Wool

WP

Alpaca

WS

Cashmere

WV

Virgin Wool

WY

Yak

Digital Fabric Printers January 8, 2010

Posted by SCAD Fashion Department in : Design Resources, Manufacturers, Sewing and Workroom Supplies, Textile Resources , comments closed

Have an idea for a printed fabric but just can’t find it in the stores?  Let Karma Kraft print the fabric for you!  SCAD Graduate Student Thomas Gaddis recently found this resource for a digital textile printer.  Unlike other printers who work with cottons only, they print on a variety of textiles and don’t have any minimums for in-stock fabric.  We haven’t used them yet, so if you do (or have) please let us know what you think of their service.

Thanks, Thomas, for the great find!

- Tiffany Teague

Mass-Produced vs. Custom Suits November 30, 2009

Posted by SCAD Fashion Department in : Careers, Industry News, Manufacturers, Organizations and Associations, Sewing and Workroom Supplies , comments closed

Those of you interested in menswear will appreciate these videos which highlight the huge differences in the production processes for a suit that is mass-produced vs. one that is custom-made for an individual.

Mass-Produced

Custom-Made

To learn more about the difference in quality and production in all the types of suits ranging from the entirely machine-made version to the full-on bespoke suit, check out this great website “An English Cut” where Thomas Mahon, a true bespoke tailor, discusses all the ins and outs of men’s suiting.

At the highest end of mens suiting are the tailors located on Savile Row in London’s Mayfair district.  In this video, Mr. Mahon, who maintains an office on Savile Row and his production facility in the English countryside, discusses various aspects of his job as a master cutter, including his private relationships with high-profile clients:

“The thing is, because of the nature of what I do, it’s extremely personal. I mean, there’s lots of people who meet Prince Charles – but there’s not many people who meet him in his underwear.”

- Tiffany Teague

Words of Wisdom from the Seniors October 30, 2009

Posted by SCAD Fashion Department in : SCAD, Sewing and Workroom Supplies , comments closed

The world is full of people who love to give advice – especially fashion advice.  Some of its is good. Some of it is baaaaaad and leads us to do really stupid things – like wearing a baseball cap sideways or wearing sunglasses indoors in order to look more cool.

On occasion, though, some very helpful advice comes around that should get your attention.  This time, it comes from SCAD students who have been through the intense process of creating their Senior Collection.

So here they are (in no particular order) . . . fifteen bits of wisdom from the Seniors in Professor Kim Irwin’s class:

1. Don’t buy cheap muslin
2. Make sure that the fabric used for your muslin is as similar as possible to your final.
3. Stretch your knits overnight before trying to sew them (hang on the wall).
4. Be ready to spend money.
5. SC is not an excuse not to complete your other assignments (other professors don’t like that)
6. Learn to love Hub food because it is probably the only meal you will eat all day.
7. You have to do your work or you will fail.
8. Don’t wait until the night before to do your process book.
9. Just get your swatches, there is no point in fighting.
10. Be prepared to make your models very uncomfortable.
11. Leave hygiene products in your car, you will be here all night.
12. This is not a John Cusack movie, people want to see your progress.
13. Stock up on tape
14. Wear headphones!
15. No cliche fashion movies shown in the work room.

- Tiffany Teague

Textile Manipulation Resources May 29, 2009

Posted by SCAD Fashion Department in : Design Resources, Inspiration, Sewing and Workroom Supplies, Textile Resources, Trends , comments closed

Here are some of your professors’ favorite books for ideas and techniques to manipulate, dye, and print on fabrics.  We highly suggest that all of the students in the Senior Collection Program have a look at these books in preparation for your final collection.  If you can’t afford to buy more than a couple, find a partner who wants to order some different titles and share your books over the summer.

Textile Technique: Practical step-by-step guides

Textile Inspiration – Not tons of technique, but great for ideas.

Part-Time Job at Sewingmachine.com May 22, 2009

Posted by SCAD Fashion Department in : Careers, Local Sources, Sewing and Workroom Supplies, Textile Resources , comments closed

Sewingmachine.com has a part-time opening for a student, preferably a sophomore or junior, that will pay approximately $10 per hour. The duties are basic: answering phones, checking out customers, etc. but you will be asked to learn about equipment so you can answer customer questions. This is on-going and not just a summer job. Work hours are flexible.  If you are interested, please contact Mary Neeley:

Mary Neely

Senior Career Advisor

mneely@scad.edu

404.253.2718

The Mother of all Fashion Websites May 21, 2009

Posted by SCAD Fashion Department in : Art Supplies, Careers, Design Resources, Illustration, Industry News, Inspiration, Local Sources, Manufacturers, Museums and Exhibitions, Organizations and Associations, Professional Portfolios, Sewing and Workroom Supplies, Textile Resources, Trade Shows, Trends , comments closed

Fashion.Net

Greenberg and Hammer Catalogue April 29, 2009

Posted by SCAD Fashion Department in : Art Supplies, Design Resources, Manufacturers, Sewing and Workroom Supplies , comments closed

Everything you will ever need is in this catalogue HERE.  Incredible resource for notions and sewing supplies.  This 162 page catalogue could be your one-stop-shop for workroom supplies including boning, pins, bust pads, buttons, chalk, pressing equipment, ribbon, rulers, scissors, seam binding, sewing machines and gadgets, dress forms, hangers, grommets, interfacings (a vast selection), fabric dye, snaps, labels, needles, zipper parts and much, much more.

- Tiffany Teague

How to Order Fabric from New York Fabric Stores April 28, 2009

Posted by SCAD Fashion Department in : Design Resources, Industry News, Local Sources, Manufacturers, Sewing and Workroom Supplies, Textile Resources , comments closed

We’ve recently added a number of New York fabric stores to the resource lists on this site.  Here are some helpful hints on how to take advantage of these invaluable resources.

Concerning requests for swatches:

When making a request be as specific as possible.(ie. fiber type, width, weight, color, price range etc…)

For example:

Silk Crepe
- red print (preferable floral)
- 45″ wide or wider
- suitable for summer blouse


OR

Any print featuring bicycles.
Suitable for children’s curtains.
Will need 100 yds.
No more than $8.00/yd.

OR

Pinstripe and Victorian type fabrics
Suitable for various classes on a cruiseship


Please understand that many of our fabrics are in extremely limited supply. Al orders are filled on a first-come basis. Swatches are usually identified with a style# and store locations; Always refer to the fabric by this #, and confirm the look and texture of the fabric when possible.

- Tiffany Teague